How to Make and Keep Godly FriendsIhe Atụ

Hone Your Skills

Here are five ways to hone your friendship skills:

1. Make time. Friendships take time and effort, but you can find ways. If you’re looking for new friends, maybe invite a neighbor or work colleague to church or a movie, connect with your alumni association, form a carpool with fellow employees, or track down old friends on social media sites then turn them into "real-world" friends by meeting up in person. Maybe join a group that shares common interests with you, or volunteer in your community.
   
   If you’re looking to deepen your current friendships, let them know they are important to you by making time for them. Put friend dates on your calendar, just like any other appointment. Maybe figure out a way to combine your socializing with activities that you have to do anyway like going to the gym or grocery shopping. Or, if you don’t have time for multiple one-on-one sessions with friends, set up a group get together.
2. Be the friend that you would like to have; treat them like you want to be treated. Remember their special days. Be reliable, thoughtful, trustworthy, willing to share yourself and your time.
3. Don't be too clingy, needy, or high maintenance. Rather than setting too many rules and expectations, let your friendship evolve naturally. I once heard someone say: “When it comes to people, expect little, be thankful for everything.” That sounds much healthier than being a high-maintenance friend.
4. Be forgiving. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times”—that means good times and bad. No one is perfect, and no friendship develops smoothly, so give them the benefit of the doubt, and when there's a bump in the road of your friendship try to find a way to overcome and move past it (Ephesians 4:32).
5. Be there for them when they need you. Help them whenever and however you can. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

There’s obviously a lot more to say about making friends, but this can get us started. I’m going to incorporate some of these keys into my everyday life–how about you?

Was this plan helpful to you? For more information, encouragement, teachings and materials, check out Karen’s website at www.karenjensen.org.